Steel tape-measure.



K. G. SHUTT.

STEEL TAPE MEASURE. Arru'oflmn FILED nm.14.'191o.

Patented Mar. 21, 1911.

WIT N E 8858: 2%?

lwmroe. 1111221 GQSHUYT ATTORNEYS :oibmmms PETERS cm, WASHINGTON, 04 c MQE KIRK GILLOT'I SHUTT, OF WARREN, PENNSYLVANIA.

STEEL TAPE-MEASURE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed February 14, 1910.

Patented Mar. 21, 1911.

Serial No. 543,785.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, KIRK Gr. SHUTT, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Warren, in the county of Warren and State of Pennsylvania, have made certain new and useful Improvements in Steel Tape Measures, of which the following is a specification.

My invention is an improvement in steel tape measures, and consists in certain novel constructions, and combinations of parts, hereinafter described and claimed.

The object of the invention is to provide a simple and cheap attachment for use on winding tape measures, which will hold the required length of tape drawn out, preventing its return, and also preventing the withdrawal of more line until released.

Referring to the drawings forming a part hereof, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a tape line case provided with the improve ment, Fig. 2 is a vertical section of a part of the casing on the line of the improvement, and Fig. 3 is a section at right angles to Fig. 2.

The present embodiment of the invention, is shown applied to the casing 1 containing a steel tape 2, which passes out from an opening 3, in the side wall of the casing, being guided by rollers 4. The tape winds on a spindle 5 journaled at the center of the casing in bearings 6, and projecting at both ends therefrom. Upon one side the spindle is provided with a radial opening 7, and a bolt 8 is slidable radially of the casing toward and from the spindle and is adapted to engage the opening to lock the spindle. A shield or escutcheon 9 is secured to the casing by screws 10, and the escutcheon is provided with an arched portion 11, in which the bolt slides. The arched portion 11 forms a recess between the casing wall and the escutcheon, open toward the bearing and closed at its outer end. The bolt moves against the wall of the casing, and the outer end is ofiset upwardly as shown at 12, to engage the inner wall of the recess. The arched portion is slotted longitudinally as shown at 13, and a button 14 slidable on the arched portion, is secured to the offset end of the bolt, by a pin 15, which passes through the slot. The upper end of the pin is headed as shown at 16, and the button is countersunk so that the outer face of the head is flush with the face of the button, and a pin 17 passes through the pin below the offset end of the bolt to prevent disengagement of the pin 15 from the bolt. The button is arched from side to side as shown, to smoothly fit the outer face of the escutcheon, and the bearing 6, in which the spindle is journaled is also provided with an opening in which the inner end of the bolt moves,

In operation when the required length of tape has been withdrawn, the bolt is moved into the radial opening of the spindle by the thumb pressing on the button. The spindle is now locked against movement in either direction, but may be easily released by moving the button outwardly.

The improvement may be applied to existing tapes of any kind, whether of steel or of cloth, merely by drilling a hole for the bolt, and screwing the escutcheon in place. The parts are easily formed, being stamped from suitable metal and consisting of but three pieces and the pin. Sufllcient friction obtains between the button and escutcheon, and between the bolt and the parts against which it moves, to prevent accidental displacement.

I claim- 1. In combination with a tape measure comprising a casing, a spindle journaled therein and extending beyond the casing at its ends, and a tape line winding on the spindle, of an escutcheon having at its longitudinal center an arched portion extending to one end of the escutcheon, said end being arranged adjacent to the spindle end, means for securing the escutcheon to the casing, a bolt slidable in the recess formed by the arched portion toward and from the spindle, said spindle having a radial opening to receive the bolt, said bolt having its outer end offset outwardly and moving against the inner face of the arched portion, said portion being longitudinally slotted, a button fitting the outer face of the arched portion, and a pin connecting the button and the offset end of the bolt and passing through the slot.

2. The combination with the tape line and the casing, and the spindle in the casing on which the line winds, of an escutcheon provided With means, whereby it may be secured button and the bolt, said escutcheon having to thehcasing,da 1bolt slidablt;1 beltween the a slot through which the connection extends. escutc eon an tie casing ra ia toward and from the spindle, said S indIe haVing a KIRK GILLOTT SHUTT' radial opening for engagement by the bolt, a button movable on the outer face of the escutcheon and a connection between the Witnesses LOUIS SlLLMAN, MORTON SILLMAN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

